The Optimistic Frog

[123 words]

Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl; 
One was an optimistic soul,
But the other took the gloomy view: 
“We shall drown,” he cried, without more ado.
So with a last despairing cry,
He flung up his legs, and he said, “Goodbye.”

Quoth the other frog with a merry grin, 
“I can’t get out, but I won’t give in.
I’ll just swim ’round till my strength is spent.
Then will I die the more content.”

Bravely he swam till it would seem
His struggles began to churn the cream; 
On the top of the butter at last he stopped, 
And out of the bowl he gaily hopped. 
What of the moral? ’Tis easily found:
If you can’t hop out, keep swimming ’round.

Lord Robert Stephen Smyth Baden-Powell